Dame Nellie Melba

Background

Dame Nellie Melba was born Helen Porter Mitchell near Melbourne, Australia from which she took her stage name, on May 19, 1861.

Career

Because of parental opposition she did not begin her career until late, making her operatic debut as Gilda in Rigoletto in 1887 in Brussels. With the exception of brief Continental appearances and several seasons with the Metropolitan where she made her New York debut in 1893, as well as the Manhattan and Damrosch opera companies, she sang regularly at Covent Garden in London. Her final appearance was in 1926.

Achievements

• Melba was created Dame of the British Empire in 1918.

Connections

Father:

David Mitchell

References

• Nellie Melba: A Contemporary Review (Studies in Social Welfare Policies and Programs,)
• Melba: Nellie Melba: A Biography (Australian Lives)